49ers the choice for German

February 7, 2013

MARTINSBURG - Eugene German left the coaches at North Carolina-Charlotte feeling a little uneasy Wednesday when they hadn't received his signed letter-of-intent Wednesday.

"They were calling the school getting frantic," German said. "I said, 'Don't worry, I got this.'"

The standout lineman and his mother had a "misunderstanding" about when they were supposed to meet and fill out the paperwork. Once straightened out, the fax machine zipped German's official information to Charlotte, and German became a 49er for the first season at football in the fall.

Article Photos

Journal photo by Ron AgnirMartinsburg's Eugene German signs his letter-of-intent to play football for North Carolina-Charlotte.

Charlotte's concern might've been understandable, because, even though German had committed to the school before the end of Martinsburg's third straight Class AAA football championship, the recruiting pressure from others exacerbated for German.

Fellow Division I schools Marshall, Ohio and Cincinnati were still sending letters and messaging German on Facebook.

"Most of the time, I didn't respond, because I knew I was going to Charlotte," said German, the winner of the Hunt Award as the state's top lineman.

Once he completed his task, German did a James Brown-type of dance - he was "feeling good" - and then sat down, thought "it's finally over."

"I signed my life away," German joked.

If he has it his way, it'll be for the next five years. That's because German hopes to redshirt during the 49ers' first season of football. Charlotte lists the 6-foot-5, 260 pound German as an offensive tackle.

He thinks he's a little behind, as some players have already been on campus and already going through the training regimen.

"It'll be good to catch up and gain some weight and put more muscle on my body," German said. "Coach (Brad) Lambert, if he needs me, he said he'll definitely use me."

German expects to major in biology.

Calling German "a great young man," Martinsburg coach David Walker sees a promising future for the offensive lineman who transferred to the Bulldogs after his sophomore year.

"He's got a lot of size, great ability and I think he'll do well," Walker said.

German began his high school football career at Thomas Johnson in Frederick, Md. Once joining the Bulldogs, he played in the last two of Martinsburg's three consecutive state titles.

"It worked out all in the best," German said. "I still want to thank all my coaches at TJ for helping me and helping me to develop as a player. They were the first to get my foot in the door for recruiting with letters. The first coach I met was the defensive coordinator from (North Carolina) State."

Perhaps it was a sign because German will attend school and play football in that state.

He thanked his friends, family and "everyone who supported me."

"I'm going to miss ya'll," he said.

Then German offered a piece of advice:

"For everyone to stay positive and stay based," he said.

German could've added, "And, don't worry, the letter's on the fax machine."